On Father’s Day 2020, VocalEssence gathered family and friends around the country to sing for justice in a livestream with song leaders from coast to coast. Envisioned and created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, this event was a joy-filled, family friendly celebration with songs that honor fathers and the father figures… Read More →
By Angela Johnson | Edina Magazine Published: JUNE 2020 https://edinamag.com/vocalessence-celebrates-black-families-fathers-day-livestream?fbclid=IwAR19v75-DbqxW-NYpw-o_W-sLs-8rjU4VvjvBVqCrEUsx_hs_uWPcNrvEvI VocalEssence presents a livestream sing-along and concert to honor black fathers. PHOTO BY: KYNDELL HARKNESS G. Phillip Shoultz III of St. Louis Park, Minn. can picture the Wendy’s fast food restaurant in Atlanta, Ga. where an Atlanta police officer shot Rayshard Brooks following a struggle… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Evelyn Simpson Curenton. This episode features a performance by singer Jearlyn Steele. Evelyn Simpson Curenton b. 1953 The versatile musician and composer Evelyn Simpson Curenton is one of today’s leading arrangers of gospel music… Read More →
This weekend: Juneteenth celebrations, online Midsommar festival, Electric Fetus sale, Father’s Day Motor Show, and more By Tally Shaver | Minnesota Monthly Published: JUNE 17, 2020 https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/health-covid-19/culture-2/weekend-best-bets-june-18-21/ Melanie DeMore, a song leader for Sunday’s Father’s Day SingalongKYNDELL HARKNESS Minnesota Arboretum Hosts Weekly Storytime & Crafts What: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Storytime & Crafts at Home When: Every… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. He is joined by bass soloist James Bohn. Ralph Vaughan Williams 1872-1958 As one of the most celebrated English composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams composed grand pieces for all levels of musicians. He… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Carlos Guastavino. Carlos Guastavino 1912-2000 Argentinian composer Carlos Guastavino was best known for his prolific output of songs, including art songs, children’s songs, and arrangements of his original songs for choir. He was born in… Read More →
MEDIA ALERT: INTERVIEW/PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY Jennifer Weismann 612-716-0556 Jennifer@owl-marketing.com PRESS PHOTOS: https://www.vocalessence.org/2019-2020-season-press-photos VOCALESSENCE TO PRESENT LIVESTREAM SING ALONG AND CONCERT TO HONOR BLACK FATHERS AND FAMILIES THIS FATHER’S DAY Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III curates livestream benefit with a lineup of guest song-leaders and premiere performances by Black musicians from across the United States WHAT: This… Read More →
Originally developed as a way to inspire Take 5 with GPS viewers to articulate ways they can become agents for change and good in the world, G. Phillip Shoultz, III (GPS) started the #liftmyvoice challenge. Now, Phillip is inviting the entire VocalEssence community to take part in the challenge. The process is simple. Make a… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Edvard Grieg. He is joined by soprano Liv Redpath. Edvard Grieg 1843-1907 Edvard Grieg was a beloved Norwegian composer, pianist, and conductor. He began taking piano lessons at age six from his talented mother and… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Amy Cheney Beach. Amy Cheney Beach 1867-1944 The pioneering composer Amy Cheney Beach was the first American woman to compose large-scale concert music and find widespread success. Born in Henniker, New Hampshire, Beach demonstrated outstanding… Read More →
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle is being feted this summer! Chorus America, the the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field across North America, is giving him the Distinguished Service Award on Friday, June 12. Watch him receive the award on their YouTube channel. The Society for American Music, dedicated to the… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Percy Grainger. Percy Grainger 1882-1961 Australian-American composer and pianist Percy Grainger was best known for his work as a collector and arranger of folk music. Grainger’s mother taught him from their home in Melbourne until… Read More →
Our Vintage Voices program for older adults has joined the virtual world. Conductor Robert Graham is now leading members from the Trillium Woods Chorale and Parkshore Singers in both rehearsals and social gatherings on Zoom every two weeks. These same activities will begin this summer with the Sabathani Vintage Voices, our flagship ensemble of the Vintage Voices program. This is in addition to… Read More →
As we all do our part to be agents of change, the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age have a message and a challenge for us all. We believe love inspires action. We believe love creates change. We believe love pursues justice. We sing in love. Let’s fight injustice, change systems, and lift our voices with love… Read More →
FAMILY: Voices Calling Concert Florence Price | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle Hector Berlioz | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle Nathaniel Dett | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle Gerald Finzi | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle Leonard Bernstein | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle https://www.vocalessence.org/gps-friends-episode-4-nirmala-shruthi-rajasekar/ Timothy Takach | Musical Moments with Philip Brunelle Antonio Vivaldi… Read More →
